
Planning a cruising itinerary for you and your crew generates enthusiasm for the trip and establishes team effort. Trip planning is part of the fun, and Waggoner can help you get started with some of our planning tips, suggested resources, and the latest information about destinations.
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There’s an App for That?! – “Pumpout Nav”
Have you found yourself desperate for a pumpout? The boat that is, or have you created an itinerary but forgot to account for necessary pumpout stops. Thanks to the Pumpout Nav App, boaters have a quick, easy way to look-up the location of pumpout facilities...
What’s in the Name? – Waggoner
The Waggoner Name - In 1584 the Dutch pilot Lucas Janszoon Waghenaer published a volume of navigation principles, tables, charts, and sailing directions, which served as a guide for other such books for the next 200 years. These “Waggoners” as they came to be known,...
Safe Boating Awareness Week May 21-27, 2022
While the focus on staying safe at sea is the constant reminder to wear a lifejacket, there are many preparations for both you and your vessel to ensure an enjoyable and safe boating season. Vessel Checks. A safe journey begins with a well-maintained boat. Before...
I’m Going Boating! – Which Guidebook Should I Buy?
Our Recommendation Boaters planning to cruise the Pacific Northwest often ask us what materials and guidebooks they should purchase for their trip. Social media contributors and members of boating forums often mention that the Waggoner Cruising Guide is a must. We...
The Joys of Cruising the Shoulder Season
Boaters often talk about the joys of cruising during the shoulder season. Less traffic, fewer tourists, and better availability at docks and other moorages are some of the most obvious of these joys. As we cruise into the off-season on our American Tug 362, a boat...
Third-party Moorage Reservation Services
The world of internet booking service providers that offer moorage slip reservations services has arrived in NW cruising grounds.
What did I forget? — Provisioning for a FirstTimer
Several years ago, my husband talked me into taking a class on boating. Here is a little back-story for you – I grew up in Denver and boating was not really an option when I was a kid. I never even went camping. I was a city girl and a landlubber, plain and simple. My...
Sailboat to Powerboat – A Paradigm Shift
by Aiona Hartley How does a sailboat lover become a powerboat lover? I always assumed the progression from sailboat to powerboat to ferryboat over the River Styx was because as people age, they become unable to manage the athletic requirements of sailing....
How to Make Your Travel Plans Work
It is painful to hear someone or a cruising couple say “We are going to hold off on a long trip this summer. We have too many obligations at home, or with family.” As Editor and Publisher of the Waggoner Cruising Guide, I keep a pretty aggressive schedule...
Off-season Cruising – Serenity and Solitude
The off-season cruising months offer a respite with deserted anchorages and unoccupied marine park docks. There’s no jockeying required at the fuel dock, and wildlife is unencumbered by the usual steady stream of boats. It’s their domain now. The keys to making the...
Begin Planning Next Summer’s Cruise
For many boaters, an enjoyable facet of cruising is the planning process. The holidays are over. It’s the middle of winter, and the thought of a summer cruise tends to brighten those gray and damp Pacific Northwest days. Planning a successful summer cruise...
The Boating Lifestyle – Why I Enjoy It
There is nothing better than being out on the water. My boating routine kicks in and it's like a natural high washes over me. My understanding of the weather and the sounds of the boat become second nature. I'm dazzled by breathtaking sunrises and amazed...
Extended Provisioning for Cruising North of the Border
When cruising north of the border, we enjoy anchoring Easy Goin’ in one of the many secluded coves, miles from the nearest dock. To do that, Arlene and I have learned the art of extended provisioning so we can enjoy well planned and nourishing meals while...
A Link for Weather Buoy Data
You can find on www.ndbc.noaa.gov a complete, near-real-time observations from weather buoys and land stations in B.C. and U.S. waters. The web site is easy to navigate and its information is extremely useful. With a few clicks you can get complete data on wind speed,...
8 Tips for Winter Cruising
With a little planning, a well-found boat and flexibility, a winter cruise can be a wonderful way to get more use from your boat!